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DPS launches island-wide drive vs. smut
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Posted on Jan 03 2001
The Department of Public Safety will conduct an island-wide information campaign to owners of establishments selling pornographic materials in connection with the recently signed law which prohibits the selling of such merchandise to minors.
Public Law 12-9 states that it will be illegal to display or show any graphic reproduction showing genitalia, sexual contact unless such materials are used for medical reference or for educational purposes, without prominently posting a notice in English, Chamorro, Carolinian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Tagalog. The establishment will not also admit those who are below 18 years old.
Police Capt. Delbert Sablan said the campaign will be carried out in three months to make sure that owners of establishment are aware of the existence of a new law.
The law recognized that young people have become increasingly exposed to pornographic merchandise which at an early age thus, affecting their mental growth.
There are about 10,000 children residing in the Commonwealth between the ages of five and 16 and approximately 40,000 children visit the CNMI as tourists every year.
Some Japanese groups have complained to tourism officials that the rampant display of pornographic materials in the stores affect the image of Saipan as an ideal destination for Japanese families.
Those who are convicted of the crime face one year imprisonment or a fine of not more than $5,000 or both. (LFR)
